Balangir gets set for Lok Utsav

SUDEEP KUMAR GURU

Balangir, Dec. 11: The district administration has decided to organise Balangir Lok Utsav, the annual cultural festival of the Balangir district, from January 19 to January 22.

At a preparatory meeting presided over by district collector and magistrate of Balangir Debraj Mishra, the Lok Utsav Organising Committee constituted the different committees for smooth conduct of the annual festival. It will be held on the Koshal Kalamandal ground.

District culture officer Goutam Nag said the date had been unanimously decided upon by the committee members. “There was no difference of opinion on the date for conduct of the festival as the committee members. Moreover, the meeting also decided on different committees for smooth conduct of the festival,” he said.

Nag said noted academician Sanatan Thakur will head the seminar and souvenir committee while social worker Lalit Nayak will lead the food and accommodation committee.

“Noted classical music exponent Guru Ghasiram Mishra will head the cultural committee while Madu Sudan Nayak will look after stage management. Lawyer Jayaram Mishra will head the reception committee while the district collector will be in the charge of the finance committee. The committee heads will chose members for their respective committees,” he said.

Traditionally, the festival is organised from November 5 to November 8 every year. But this year, the district administration had not even convened the preparatory meeting for the Lok Utsav.

Therefore, there was speculation that the festival might not be held at all. Last year too, the festival was delayed and organised in February.